Swirl Removal ... lack of experience or impossible

S

ShawnF350

New member
Anyone in the Forum local to Woodbury NJ area?
I was looking for some help with either my technique or if I should just throw the towel in on this 98 White Merc. I might be being too careful. It's so hard to see swirls while working on it.
I tried PB Master Cut (L C white)on the tops... 5 passes. With my 3401. Could have used an orange but wanted to see what the product could do.
Then just did the whole car with PB polish w sealant. (White lc with Lhr15)
It does appear there are scratches under the clear so who knows if it's been a full repaint or just sections.
I tried my new rotary for a few passes with PB pro polish 2 (white lc) but definitely need to wait until PB detail weekend for some hands on.

I'll post pics tomorrow that I was able to get in the sun.

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0Bzi7TIColVgBWUZWSVNWQ1MzRlE/edit
 
Are those pictures before or after? Regardless looks like there's a lot of work involved, looks pretty thrashed. I think you may need something more aggressive and try a couple of test spots. That Ford paint should be hard. I won't mention how difficult white is (I HATE white) on seeing how well it's correcting.
 
Ccrew said:
Are those pictures before or after? Regardless looks like there's a lot of work involved, looks pretty thrashed. I think you may need something more aggressive and try a couple of test spots. That Ford paint should be hard. I won't mention how difficult white is (I HATE white) on seeing how well it's correcting.
Click to expand...

I agree that Ford paint is hard, and white paint is the hardest paint of all due to its chemical makeup. If those are the afters, then you seriously need to use a cutting pad or mf pad with a more aggressive polish than you did. If you're not familiar with the rotary, I would hold off on that until you've exhausted all the options for the Flex.
 
They are the after photos with no change.
I'm going to try smaller work area..1x1.
I did manage to remove most swirls on half the roof with Griots #1. I'm going to try SSRs next.
With the lack of experience I don't have a method yet and the white doesn't help.
Car looks great to most but not me.
For a $900 car it's my project.
 
ShawnF350 said:
They are the after photos with no change.
I'm going to try smaller work area..1x1.
I did manage to remove most swirls on half the roof with Griots #1. I'm going to try SSRs next.
With the lack of experience I don't have a method yet and the white doesn't help.
Car looks great to most but not me.
For a $900 car it's my project.
Click to expand...


Sounds like you're getting the idea, work a smaller area with SLOWER passes and 10 - 15 lbs of downward pressure on the machine. I suggest concentrating on ONE panel at a time. Since this thing is being difficult, trying to focus on the car as a whole will be overwhelming and could lead to you giving up and we don't want that. So just concentrate on the hood, or a fender, a door and telling yourself that one this panel is done it's break time, for a few hors, a few days, a week. However long it takes to get your enthusiasm back.

Many people detail their cars this way all the time, one weekend do the hood from compounding to waxing, the next weekend-the front fenders, then the doors etc, etc. This allows you to take as much time as you need to get each panel done to your satisfaction without causing burnout. The Flex you have is a powerful machine and should help with this process.
 
Don said:
Sounds like you're getting the idea, work a smaller area with SLOWER passes and 10 - 15 lbs of downward pressure on the machine. I suggest concentrating on ONE panel at a time. Since this thing is being difficult, trying to focus on the car as a whole will be overwhelming and could lead to you giving up and we don't want that. So just concentrate on the hood, or a fender, a door and telling yourself that one this panel is done it's break time, for a few hors, a few days, a week. However long it takes to get your enthusiasm back.

Many people detail their cars this way all the time, one weekend do the hood from compounding to waxing, the next weekend-the front fenders, then the doors etc, etc. This allows you to take as much time as you need to get each panel done to your satisfaction without causing burnout. The Flex you have is a powerful machine and should help with this process.
Click to expand...
Now that it's got a sealant on it for the summer I'll try the panel at a time approach.
I'll jump up to an orange pad too.
I guess the Merc may be what's going to PB weekend Ron. I'm sure wife will be thrilled..lol
I was calling it the "hot rod" when I had a straight pipe on it. Once it got new stock exhaust I call it the "Tighty Whitey".
I do have the Makita with purple pad but until I get some instruction I'm holding off.
 
Yeah, I'd be orange pad with UC or 105 or FG400 Menzerna out of the gate probably. Your #1 Griots is rated the same cut as the UC though, I just haven't had much luck with the Griots polishes personally. #3 and #4 as very light cut finishing is the best I've made out there.
 
From the looks of that close up pic, you need to clay the surface. If you are investing the time into getting a swirl free finish you must have a clean smooth base. Use the orange pad with a good compound, small section at a time.
 
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